When the Dolphins began play in 1966 they played in the Orange Bowl. Attendance was low and they attempted to boost family interest by having the real Flipper in a tank at the back of one of the endzones.

After the merger of the AFL and NFL in 1970 they became one of the league's best teams from 1971-1976, appearing in the Super Bowl three times, winning it twice (1973-74)

They are the only team to have an unbeaten season in the modern (postmerger/Super Bowl) era of professional football. They were 17 wins, no losses in the 72-73 season.